Benoît Dôme, Jonathan Manson European Copper Institute Domestic electricity & fire 7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE September 11 th & 12 th 2008

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS. Content  Statistics – an EU even a global perspective  Getting the right answers – fires caused by installations, equipment, use …  What we do know – growing awareness and concern about electrical safety in the home – an 11 country study  Discussion

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Statistics – an EU even a global perspective  Greater appliance availability and home leisure place increasing strains on older installations  Consequently electrically caused domestic fires continue to grow – accounting for 25% of all home incidents **  ECI 2002 conclusions made worse by strong economic conditions / affluence  Current economic weakness places electrical maintenance down the priority list ** Source: Paris Fire Brigade - GRESEL

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS New Zealand study issue of relatively low numbers Electrical Wiring Systems and Fire Risk in Residential Dwellings – overheating is the main issue. Source: Energy Safety Service NZ Ministry of Economic Development

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Source: Energy Safety Service NZ Ministry of Economic Development New Zealand – trends very close to the 2002 FEEDS/ ECI analyses Electrical Wiring Systems and Fire Risk in Residential Dwellings – and equipment & the installation are increasingly to blame.

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS France Official Statistics – domestic fires are a cause for concern – 25% electrically caused **

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners - les pertes causées par l'incendie au Canada

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Statistics – getting the right answers [1]  What contributes to electrically caused fires? -Installation: -Wiring / circuits -Connections -Design [earthing systems; under-rated] -Un[der]qualified installer “favours” -Equipment -Affluence, comfort & leisure -High demand equipment [eg cookers, heaters, air- conditioning/ climate control, power showers] powered by inappropriate installations -Too few socket outlets requiring the use of multiple adapters/ extension leads

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Statistics – getting the right answers [2]  What contributes to electrically caused fires? -Users: -Ignorance -Unwillingness to invest in maintenance -System & equipment abuse -Lack of enforced regulation  What combats this? – Lobbying and regulation – national and EU levels – Consumer Associations – counselling Periodic Inspection and the need for increased domestic electrical safety – Same message promotion by all players.

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Statistics – what we know – an 11 country study*  More homes today invest in electrical renovation and spend more per job than 5 years ago.  Still only 3% of homes undergo such work  Renovation set to increase by 3-10% pa ….  …… which means all homes in EU will be electrically safe by some time in the 22 nd century  * Source: ECI/ AIE member installers June 2008

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Residential renovation work profiles – ad hoc improvements – less pre-emptive maintenance Type of work undertaken YESNOSOMETIMES Total rewiring as part of restructuring512 Total rewiring:134 Connection to earthing electrode:413 Installation of residual current device:512 Replacement of sockets and/or switches:602 Replacement of main switches:314 Installation of new sockets:503 Installation of new switches:512 Installation of additional protection devices:233 Statistics – what we know – an 11 country study* * Source: ECI/ AIE member installers June 2008

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Statistics – regulations – steps towards statutory Periodic Inspection after pcc  Belgium - certificate of safety required for all homes built after 1980  France - 1st stage legislation in place [sale of home PI for installations > 15 years old]  Germany – meister system + e-Check  Italy - Electrical safety certificate required for all homes - new decree 37/8 closes loop holes that were in the Legge 46/90  Poland - Spearheaded by the "Society of Electricians“  Spain – Regulation lobbying at National and at Autonomous Community levels  Switzerland - PI required every 20 years - statutorily controlled by the electrical supplying utilities  UK - Inspection/ certificate required when [major] works are carried out in the home

7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE – September 11 th -12 th 2008 STATISTICS Discussion  Getting to grips with the causes of domestic electrical fires.  Multiple sources of market intelligence [electrical contractors, AGE, EFA members, Consumer Associations …]  Reasonable expectations for future regulations  Understanding the different requirements for private dwellings v public buildings / areas/ common parts  …….

Benoît Dôme, Jonathan Manson European Copper Institute Domestic electricity & fire 7 th EΦA ROUNDTABLE September 11 th & 12 th 2008